Her Diet, Exercise Routine – ryan
This as-told-tos Essay is bassed on a conversation with Aliya Brooks, 25, About Her Grandmother, Mildred “Millie” cruzat. Brooks is from Chicago and Based in Atlanta. She works in Medical Device Sales and As A Stretch and Mobility Instructor. This Story has Been Edited for Length and Clarity.
My Grandma, Millie, Played a Huge Role in My Life. I think a lot of People can relates to being really close to a grandparent and Feeling that they are understand you more than. Millie was that person for me.
When I was 2 years old, my mom was hospitalized for a couple of months with a brokenous ankle, so i stayed with millie while she recovered. We both lived in chicago, so after my mom got Better, i would visits Millie millie weekends until i went to collect. Lots of Times, My Mom, Dad, and Sister Wold Also Be There.
Aliya, Her Sister Carley As A Baby, Her Cousin, Shanna, Her Mom, Liza, and Millie Pictured in Millie’s Home.
Aliya brooks
Age was just a number for millie
Millie Maved to New York City at Age 18 to Become a Dancer. By the time she was 22 in 1950, she had joined the broadway show “Shuffle Along,” and Became a Dance Instructor Around the time.
Millie Stopped Dancing Professionally Around Age 60, but Taught Dance at Children’s Balls Schools in Chicago UNIL she was 70, and Ballt and Stretching Classes unil she was 93 – an accomplishment she was very proud of.
Her students ranged in age from 5 to 85. She also spent a lot of time with kids in the housing projects in chicago, teaching dance classes in schools. She impacted so many People through her work.
Age Truly was just a number for millie, in the way I’d address her. She didn’t want me to call her “Grandma,” JUST MILLIE, CECAUSE SHE FELT WAS ABOUT MINDETS. It was a small detail, but powerful. I love that she did that – Words Can Change Your Mentality.
Millie Dancing in Her 40s.
Aliya brooks
Millie Focused on Daily Movement, Like Walking to the Grocery Store
Millie taught with so many healthy habits. She began each day with a seven-Mile walk on the chicago lakefront. SHETEMES SHEKE RAN IT. She did all that, including splits, unil she was 92 and doctors told her should take it easy on the workouts. She didn’t have many health Issues at all.
She focused so Much on Accessible, Daily Mobility: Like Taking the Stairs every day to get to her apartment, or walking to the Grocery Storea of Driving. She Also Loved Tennis, Which My Granddad, Uncle, and Mom Also Played.
When i would stay at her house, she would make me get first thing in the morning to stretch together in her living room. Right before we stretched in the morning, we’d snack on fruit.
Her Diet Was Simple But She Enjoyed Treats
Millie instilled in with Healthy Food Habits. I of the Saw HERE EAT FRUITS AND ENGINTables, and she was really Big on Kale, Broccoli, and Blueberries. We’d have smoothies with fruit or vegies and drink tons of water.
Her diet was Simple and Nutritious, but she didn’t restrict Herself. “Everything in Moderation” was her mantra. She love the chocolate cake at Portilo’s, and Wold Get Five Creams and Five Sugars in Her Nearly Duily Dunkin ‘Coffee Order.
Millie doing an upside-down stretch at Age 87. Millie and Her Daughter, Liza, at a dance gala.
Aliya brooks
She showed with that aging doesn’t have to be a negative thing. Millie Said She Grew Up Very Quiet and Timid. The Millie I have was confident and self-asured, and that was something something greew into Through Things like dance, stretching, and tan posture. Millie knew that doing things like fluff your shoulders back, rolling say down, and walking with your heading up help with confidence, which is something to try to teach my clients.
I Started My Own Mobility Business to Honor My Grandmother’s Legacy
Millie’s LESSONS AND LIFE Story inspired with to start my Own Business, Ageless Mobilityin 2020, after I realized the HAD to show other People what she was doing. Once the Pandemic Hit, I was home and stayed with millie in chicago, and it was Such a blessing to be able to spend with her. I knew she was getting older and i wanting to soak up as much as i is could from her.
I Started Taqing Videos of Her, Not Knowing What It Wold Lead to. It was never like, “Oh, i’m going to budild a brand of my grendma and myself and the importance of mobility.” It was more just “People Need to see what she’s doing.”
Aliya and Millie in Millie’s Living Room, when she was 88 years old. This is where they willin often stretch.
Aliya brooks
Millie Had Heart Failure and Passed in 2021 at the age of 94. One of her dying was to teach collasses at my college, spelman.
Once she passed, I realized teaching her lessons could be a good way to be honor her wishes. My Company Now Offers a Monthly Subscript to Stretch Videos, In-Person Weekly Classes at Spaces in Atlanta Hotels, and Fresh-Present Juices. I’ll be doing a Retreat Next Year, and i Hope to expand to different cities.
Millie’s lessons inspired with and so many oters to live healthier lives. I’m excited to carry on her legacy.